Second Hand

A few days ago, I went Christmas shopping for the first time this year. I had already decided that this year I was going to shop at second hand stores to find what I could and then from there, I'd hit stores like Ross and Big Lots, and if I had to after that, I'd shop at Walmart and Target. The last few months for us have been tight and I thought it would be a fun thing anyway. I love second hand stores, not because I'm cheap. I have no problem spending money when I have it, believe me. It's because I find things there that I'd never dream of seeing anywhere else. It's like finding a hidden treasure somewhere. I feel like Mikey on the Goonies and I get all excited. Yesterday I found some really great deals on toys at Big Lots. That store is right next door to my favorite store to shop for clothes for the boys, Once Upon A Child. Believe it or not, Shar and I got our couches at Big Lots. I then headed over to DI in Mesa. I wish they had more than one but let me tell you, it is worth the drive! Good condition children's books for 50 cents. I got a big stack. I got two nice shirts for Marce at two bucks a piece, and I got about 5 VHS movies. I figure I have a VCR and even though they are bigger and take up more space and are a little less vibrant as far as sound and vision go, Marce can't break them and for one to two bucks a piece...totally. I had so much stuff it seemed at the checkout, I was getting a little nervous as she rang me up, you know that feeling at the checkout when you have a specific budget and you can't go over. When she was finished and told me my total was $21.00, I almost laughed. I already want to go back there. Second hand store shopping is quickly becoming a hobby for me. At DI, there was this big trunk I wanted. It was heavy duty and beautiful. It was priced at fifty dollars. It looked like a Pottery Barn piece. I wish I could have gotten it but maybe next time I go back I can, if it's still there.

I LOVE Once Upon A Child so much. I have been shopping there since Marcelus was 2 months old. I have found the best brands and the cutest clothes there. I'm excited to venture out though to other types of second stores. I have never been in a Good Will or a Savers, but I love DI!

And seriously, if any of you out there are on any kind of Budget for Christmas shopping, check out Big Lots. Their stuff was nice and clean and they also had a lot of cute Christmas decor and wrapping paper. I went to Ross but Big Lots had a lot of the same toys for 3-4 dollars cheaper.